Hundreds join sad farewell for little twin Mary

Conjoined twin Mary - who died during an operation to save her sister Jodie in Manchester - has been buried on the Maltese island of Gozo.

Hundreds joined the procession through the village of Xghra. It was led by priests Father Anthony Refalo and Father Louis Camilleri.

Four young boys wearing hooded white cloaks carried the tiny white coffin from the hearse.

A bunch of white chrysanthemums had been placed on top of the coffin, which also had a brass plaque engraved with Mary's real name - Rosie Gracie Attard.

Mary's parents Michaelangelo Attard, 44, and his wife Rina, 29, were supported by friends as the coffin was taken from the hearse.

Joined by family, friends and around 100 villagers, the couple made their way gradually to the church.

A small number of young girls in pink and white dresses paid their respects and joined a church helper in singing a hymn.

The church bell was rung as the procession gradually moved through the main doors.

The Attards came to Manchester to give birth to the conjoined twins last year because the city's St Mary's Hospital has specialists in that field.

They hope to take Mary's sister Jodie, who survived the 20-hour operation to separate them last November, back to their home on the Maltese island later this year.